Moredun%20magazine%20issue%207

Moredun ISSUE 7 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

magazine

SHETLAND: A lesson in biosecurity HRH The Princess Royal launches International KTE Hub First Minister visits Moredun

www.moredun.org.uk

Director’s comment Photo | Kevin McCollum

Contents In this Issue: p1-3

News: First Minister visits Moredun

p4

Dissecting the mechanism of disease in ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma

p5

SHETLAND: a lesson in biosecurity

p7

Forthcoming Shows & Events 2014

p8

Working together to control livestock disease in a changing climate

p9

Launch of the International KTE Hub for livestock health and welfare

p10

Out and About

p12

Focus On...

PSP 20th Anniversary Scholarship Moredun 2020 Project

A very warm welcome to the Spring edition of the Moredun Magazine and I do hope the lambing season went well for sheep farmers this year. The weather has certainly been a lot better for most of the UK compared to last year and in this issue we are reporting on some of our work to engage with those interested in the effects of climate change and how this affects livestock disease patterns and risks (page 8).

We were delighted to welcome our patron, HRH The Princess Royal to Moredun in February, where she launched our new International Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Hub for Livestock Health and Welfare (page 9). The aims of the new Hub are to build on and further develop international partnerships and connectivity with others engaged in work to prevent and control livestock disease around the world.

Ensuring that the best available science is used to inform policy is vital to improve the

sustainable efficiency of livestock production while minimising impact on the environment.

We greatly enjoyed the visit of Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to Moredun in April, where they heard more about some of our European collaborations. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, visited in January to find out about our research into wildlife, conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment, in particular water catchments, from zoonotic pathogens (Page 3).

Our research into ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) received a boost when our scientists recently won significant new funding from BBSRC and the Scottish Government to study how infected cells in the lung become cancerous, which we hope may eventually lead to developing control strategies against the disease (page 4).

At Moredun, we strongly believe that disease prevention is better than cure and two of our scientists went to visit Shetland in March to find out more about the highly effective biosecurity livestock health scheme practised on the islands (pages 5-7).

We do hope that you find the features in this issue interesting and thank you again for your continued support.

Julie Fitzpatrick Scientific Director and Chief Executive

Moredun Magazine Moredun magazine is produced twice a year and is available free of charge.

Comments, ideas, suggestions?

Get in touch and let us know.

Designed and Produced by Moredun Communications Centre © 2014.

Please contact: Moredun Communications Team, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ

All images, unless otherwise stated, are © Moredun.

To subscribe, contact: Moredun Communications Team, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

tel: +44 (0)131 445 5111 fax: +44 (0)131 445 6111 e-mail: info@moredun.org.uk web: www.moredun.org.uk

The Moredun Foundation is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland No. SC151865.

The Moredun Foundation is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC022515 Address: Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, EH26 0PZ. Cover image: Hilary Burgess and Lyall Halcrow in Lerwick. Photograph by Kevin McCollum.

NEWS

The First Minister Alex Salmond, along with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, chose Moredun Research Institute as the venue to launch the SNP European election campaign on Wednesday 30th April. Moredun was selected because of its world renowned reputation for excellence in delivering solutions to the farming community to prevent and control livestock disease. In addition, they recognised how funding from the Scottish Government working together with the European Union has enabled Moredun’s scientists to lead the way in developing vaccines and diagnostic tests to improve the efficiency of livestock production worldwide and help safeguard food security.

Alex Salmond commented, “I was hugely impressed by our visit to Moredun and the cutting edge research that is taking place there. It is great to see a Scottish Research Institute whose work is having such an important impact around the world – the institute is a perfect example of Scotland making its mark in Europe”. Nicola Sturgeon greatly enjoyed the opportunity to visit the research laboratories and said, “Moredun is a great example of what can be achieved by Scotland and the EU working together. The knowledge and enthusiasm of Moredun’s researchers and the facilities we were shown left a lasting impression and I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit”.

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Visit to Moredun by First Minister Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon, depute SNP leader, in a research laboratory at Moredun

Alex Salmond, First Minister at Moredun

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

1

News

Following a Moredun Roadshow farmers’ meeting in Penrith, Dr Philip Skuce, who is engaged in liver fluke research at the Institute, received a 6-page hand-written letter, firstly commending him for raising the issue of agri-environmental schemes as a potential fluke risk, but also correcting some of the (mis)information presented about the intermediate host snails. Imagine Philip’s surprise, when it transpired that the letter was written by none other than Dr C.B. Ollerenshaw, the acknowledged ‘Godfather’ of liver fluke research in the UK. Dr Ollerenshaw spent his whole career at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, doing most of his field work on Anglesey in

Photo | Philip Skuce

Moredun Scientist meets the “Godfather” of Liver Fluke Research Aberystwyth ever since. Following an exchange of correspondence, Philip invited Dr Ollerenshaw to address the annual meeting of the British Association for Veterinary Parasitology in Bristol, just before Christmas, and he graciously accepted. Despite being 86 years old and not having been at a scientific meeting since he retired, he entertained the audience to a most amusing, informative and Dr Ollerenshaw and Dr Philip Skuce

educational talk, giving his ‘Reflections on liver fluke’. He had been given 30 mins for his talk

North Wales, and was amongst the first to

but held the floor for 1½ hours and no one

make the connection between liver fluke risk

had the heart to stop him, and nor did they

and the prevailing weather conditions. He published the first ever liver fluke forecast for

want to! Dr Ollerenshaw has forgotten more

farmers in the 1950s. The calculated fluke risk,

about fluke than most of us will ever know,

or ‘Ollerenshaw Index’, still bears his name and

and we all hope to be as lucid when we’re 86!

is used to this day in regional fluke forecasts

Philip and “Ollers” plan to keep in touch and he

for the UK and Ireland. He retired some 26

has kindly offered to take us on a snail hunting

years ago and has been sheep farming near

field trip on his own farm in the spring.

Photo | NFUS

Ian Duncan Millar receives NFU Scotland Ambassador Award Ian Duncan Millar MBE, chairman of the Moredun Foundation, has received one of Scottish farming's most prestigious awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Scottish farming industry. Ian, who has helped to shape and deliver key agricultural services to the industry, received the NFU Scotland Ambassador Award at the annual NFU Scotland dinner held in St Andrews in February.

Announcing the award, NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller said: “Agriculture in

2

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

NFUS President Nigel Miller and Chairman of the Moredun Foundation, Ian Duncan Millar

Scotland needs people like Ian Duncan Millar who have the ability to pull people together in a collaborative way and use that collective strength to make things better. Ian’s track record as a servant to Scottish farming makes him a very worthy recipient of this award.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Director and Chief Executive of the Moredun Group, said: “I am delighted that Ian has been recognised and rewarded for his unstinting support of Scottish farming, to which he has contributed in so many ways. From Moredun’s perspective, we consider ourselves fortunate to have a Chairman who helps to focus our research to ensure maximum impact from new technologies and knowledge exchange.”

NEWS

Visit of Minister for Environment and Climate Change The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse visited Moredun in January to hear how research conducted in animal health and welfare is influenced by a changing climate and how controlling infectious pathogens helps to protect the environment.

The Minister was accompanied by Susan Davies, Head of RESAS. The party enjoyed a tour of the facilities and then met scientists to hear more about their work on wildlife and marine mammal health and welfare, protection of water catchments from zoonotic pathogens, the influence of climate change on the incidence and severity of parasitic infections such as liver fluke and conservation of biodiversity.

From L to R: Beth Wells, Susan Davies, Colin McInnes, Keith Ballingall, Willie Donachie, Julie Fitzpatrick, Paul Wheelhouse, Nia Ball, Ian Duncan Millar, Philip Skuce

Moredun Scientific, with specialist advice from Creative Science Company, provides the technical and laboratory support into an established proficiency testing scheme organised

by LGC Ltd (CRYPTS) for laboratories involved in water testing. The primary aim of the scheme is to ensure the ability of the testing laboratories to competently measure and enumerate Cryptosporidium oocysts in treated water supplies. It provides a means for laboratories to independently assess and monitor their own analytical performance over time for a range of Cryptosporidium levels and species and enables them to demonstrate the validity of their results to regulatory bodies and customers.

Cryptosporidium parasites are tiny protozoan organisms which may cause acute gastrointestinal disease in affected individuals. The parasites are transmitted by environmentally hardy oocysts which have a tough protective outer shell enabling them to persist and remain infective in the environment for up to 18 months depending on climatic conditions.

Cryptosporidium is recognised as a major

Photo | Bianca Gruber

Moredun Scientific supports Cryptosporidium testing of water supplies

Cryptosporidium Laboratory at Moredun Scientific

contaminant in drinking and recreational

prepare Cryptosporidium test materials which

waters worldwide and is a difficult problem to

are supplied on a regular basis to laboratories

control due to its resistance to standard water

participating in the scheme, they also analyse

disinfection processes. To ensure the safety of

test materials returned by the laboratories to

treated water supplies the levels of

ensure consistency of results.

Cryptosporidium oocysts are analysed by quality assurance laboratories. Moredun has a long standing track record in conducting research into Cryptosporidium parasites to prevent and control disease in livestock and to protect people and the environment against this zoonotic pathogen.

The CRYPTS team at Moredun Scientific

The service is run out of a newly equipped laboratory at the Moredun site.

For further information on the CRYPTS PT Scheme contact the Secretariat: crypts@lgcgroup.com For general enquiries regarding Cryptosporidium contact: info@moredun-scientific.com

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

3

Research

Photo | Liz Banks

Dissecting the mechanism of disease in ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA, also known as jaagsiekte) is a common sheep disease caused by a virus known as jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). JSRV infects the lungs of sheep and triggers the growth of large tumours, often leading to death of the animal. OPA is a significant animal welfare and economic problem for farmers but currently there are no reliable methods for controlling the spread of the disease.

From L to R: Dr Mark Dagleish, Dr Chris Cousens, Dr David Griffiths

lines and tissue biopsies from sheep lung.

This new research project is expected to provide a huge amount of information on the cellular processes underlying cancer growth in OPA. This will be of use to scientists investigating OPA and other lung diseases in sheep, but also to researchers studying lung cancer in humans. Significantly, the project will identify numerous tumour markers that can be evaluated for use in diagnosing OPA on farms. This is an important goal as, currently,

the lack of a suitable diagnostic test for OPA is hampering efforts to control the disease.

Dr David Griffiths, who leads the study, commented: “OPA is an important disease for farmers but also a fascinating model of infection for virologists. This new funding will enable us to understand the disease process in OPA in fine detail and to use that information to create better methods for controlling the disease, which will be of huge benefit to farmers.�

Histological appearance of OPA affected lung. Note the growth of tumour cells into the airspace of the lung (arrows)

Researchers at Moredun and Roslin Institute have won significant new funding from BBSRC and the Scottish Government to study the pathogenesis of OPA using state of the art molecular tools. The project will determine how infected cells in the sheep lung respond to the virus and how the infection changes their behaviour as they become cancerous. The information collected will be used to create a computer model of the genetic events that occur as JSRV transforms normal lung cells into tumour cells. This model will then form the basis for additional studies of the mechanism of disease in cell culture, using cell

4

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

Large tumours (arrows) in an OPA-affected lung

Photo | Kevin McCollum Photo | Kevin McCollum

SHETLAND: a lesson in biosecurity

Shetland is comprised of over 100 islands, 15 of which are inhabited. Although the fishing and oil industries generate much of the income on the island, the livestock industry is of significant importance both economically and in sustaining many diverse rural businesses on the islands. Shetland is ideally suited for rearing sheep and there are around 282,000 sheep on the islands, which is around 12 sheep for every person. The native local Shetland breed are very hardy and have evolved to cope with the

harsh environment on the islands, which can experience wind speeds of up to 95 knots.

The breed is thought to have descended from ancient Scandinavian sheep and is also related to other primitive breeds such as the Soay breed of St Kilda. Shetland lamb is highly renowned for the quality and taste of the

Hilary Burgess and Lyall Halcrow. Shetland Island Council

Photo | Kevin McCollum

The small Loganair plane bounced just above the waves and the coastline of Shetland, Britain’s most northerly island, appeared on the horizon between the sea and the brilliant blue sky. Seconds later the plane touched down on the tarmac at Sumburgh. Moredun scientists, Beth Wells and Lee Innes were visiting Shetland in March to find out more about the livestock industry on the islands and to learn how the community works together to achieve a high level of health and welfare of their livestock.

Livestock holding pens at Lerwick port

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

5

Photo | Kevin McCollum

meat and some of the farmers and crofters on the island have been very active in marketing their products, with examples of direct selling to some of the top restaurants and butchers in the UK. Shetland sheep also have exceptionally fine, soft wool which is highly sought after and has a reputation for quality, strength and excellence. There are around 5000 cattle on the islands and the Shetland cow (kye) is the native breed that has been there for over 3000 years. This small and hardy breed is ideally suited to the crofting lifestyle as they are able to turn poor forage into high quality beef and milk and thrive in the adverse climate. The Shetland Livestock Marketing Group is an excellent community initiative which combines livestock marketing, meat processing, farm assurance and animal health and the opening of the new abattoir in October 2011 has enabled opportunities for farmers and crofters to grow their own businesses and make Shetland meat available locally.

Shetland has been very progressive in the prevention and control of livestock disease and there is much we can learn from their example of the community working in collaboration to achieve a high health status for their livestock resulting in significant economic and welfare benefits. Hilary Burgess and Lyall Halcrow, who work for Shetland Island Council, outlined the system used to protect livestock on the islands.

Shetland has one point of entry for importing

6

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Farm Croft at Uradale, Shetland mainland

Aaron and John Sinclair, Sandwick

livestock which is the port at Lerwick. When animals arrive they are blood sampled and in the case of cattle, are tested for BVDV and Johne’s and the sheep are tested for maedi visna, caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) and enzootic abortion. Livestock are also treated to help prevent sheep scab and gastrointestinal worms. Imported livestock are then quarantined on farms for a couple of weeks until the test results come back and the vets can work together with the farmers to decide on any further action required. This scheme is subsidised by the Shetland Island Council using revenue from the oil industry. The farmers and crofters see huge benefits from the health scheme where the prevention of disease results in substantial economic and welfare benefits compared to the costs of treating. BVDV has been eradicated from Shetland since the early 1990s and livestock on the islands are also free from maedi visna, sheep scab and enzootic abortion. The islanders are currently working on a control programme for Johne’s which involves a test and cull approach combined with herd management schemes. Hilary is convinced that the success of the scheme is due to the good collaboration between the farmers and the vets, the port authorities and Shetland Island Council all working towards common goals. However, they also recognised that the success of any biosecurity scheme relies on the application of sensitive and specific

RESEARCH

Hilltop Bar, Yell.

Location of Moredun’s most northerly roadshow

Whilst in Shetland, Lee Innes and Beth Wells conducted two Moredun Livestock Health Roadshow events, one in Lerwick and the other on the island of Yell, which was the most northerly Moredun Roadshow in the history of the organisation! At the meetings, there were good discussions about Moredun’s current research and some of the livestock health and welfare concerns of the farmers and crofters on Shetland.

As part of the LIVESTOCK KEEPERS talking science project, Lee and Beth also visited several farms and crofts on the island to learn more about the challenges and different approaches taken to create diverse and

successful businesses centred around livestock, working in very remote and difficult farming conditions. These included: dairy farming; beef and lamb rearing and wool and textile businesses. Due to the remote nature of the Shetland Islands and the challenging climatic conditions, the farmers and crofters have to be creative about how they run their businesses and how they market their products both on the island and to the outside world. They work very effectively with the land, the climate, the farming seasons and strategic use of native breeds, to produce a high quality Shetland brand that is renowned and sought after. They also have a highly

effective livestock health scheme, which is the envy of many on the mainland, and is a great example of the real benefits that can be achieved from effective disease prevention.

We would like to thank, Hilary and Martin Burgess; Lyall Halcrow; Jim Nicolson; Mary and Tommy Isbister; Ronnie, Sue and Jacob Eunson and Aaron and John Sinclair for hosting us so well and allowing us to come and find out more about their work with livestock on the island.

Further information about the LIVESTOCK KEEPERS project can be found at: http://www.moredun.org.uk/livestock-keepers

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Photo | Kevin McCollum

diagnostic tests and the strategic use of vaccination to prevent disease and they were very interested to hear more about Moredun’s research programme to develop new and effective diagnostics and vaccines.

Shetland wool is renowned for it’s quality, strength and excellence

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Forthcoming Shows & Events 2014 Thursday 22nd May NBA Beef Expo, Hexham Wednesday 4th June NSA Scot Sheep, Duns Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd June Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh Thursday 17 July Livestock Keepers, National Library of Scotland Wednesday 30 July NSA Sheep Event, Malvern

Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

7

Science and Policy

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Working together to control livestock disease in a changing climate

Laura Doull and Manus Graham, Moredun farm

Looking at some of the challenges we currently face today such as dealing with a changing climate, competing pressures for land use and a growing global population, predicted to rise to 9 billion in 2050, the production of safe, nutritious and sustainable food supplies is of paramount importance.

However, to enable the livestock industry across the world to become more resilient and adaptive to the difficult challenges we currently face, education, communication and learning from each other is absolutely vital.

This collaborative approach has long formed part of the core principles of Moredun’s work.

Through discovery, collaboration and sharing knowledge Moredun has worked together

8

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

with others within global networks to develop: innovative vaccines against the major infectious diseases of livestock; rapid diagnostic tests to enable identification and source tracking of pathogens; protection of food and water supplies from infectious agents and advice to livestock keepers on how to improve the health and welfare of their animals. Food security and disease have been highlighted in the recently published Global Risk Report for 2014 from the World Economic Forum and Moredun’s research to improve the health and welfare of livestock is as relevant today as it was when the organisation was first founded.

Moredun aims to build on this connectivity through the launch of the International Knowledge Transfer and Exchange (KTE) Hub for Livestock Health and Welfare. The Hub aims to further develop Moredun’s existing international partnerships and collaborations to engage with others across the world to

Maasai animal health workers

Photo | Kevin McCollum

SCIENCE AND POLICY

help combat livestock disease. The new Hub will help to facilitate collaborative research projects, workshops, research placements, staff exchanges and the use of new communication technologies to enable independent knowledge about prevention and control of livestock disease to be made as widely accessible as possible in order to benefit all that may need it.

HRH The Princess Royal launches the International KTE Hub for Livestock, Health and Welfare Moredun were delighted that the new International KTE Hub for Livestock Health and Welfare was launched by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal during a special event in

Professor Louise Heathwaite, Scotland’s Chief Scientific Advisor for Rural Affairs and Environment

February. The event, held at Moredun, focused on the challenges faced when controlling livestock disease in a changing climate, and how science–policy interactions and coherent knowledge exchange are important in addressing these issues. The workshop attracted over 100 delegates from the agricultural, veterinary and research sectors around the world, and speakers included Professor Louise Heathwaite, Scotland’s Chief Scientific Advisor for Rural Affairs and Environment, Dr Jens Mattsson, Director General of the National Veterinary Institute in

Education and training in livestock health and welfare

Sweden and HRH The Princess Royal herself.

Photo | Kevin McCollum

During her visit HRH The Princess Royal congratulated scientists on the collaborations with others across the world in sharing knowledge and resources to help prevent and control livestock disease.

Ian Duncan Millar, Chairman of the Moredun Foundation, who escorted the Princess around the laboratories commented, “It is always a pleasure to welcome HRH, The Princess Royal to Moredun. Her support in opening the KTE Hub is much appreciated.

This new initiative will further the work of the Moredun Foundation in sharing the results and discoveries of the Moredun Research Institute, which will benefit the environment, minimize our collective carbon footprint and contribute towards the wellbeing of both the farmed livestock and the farmers.”

Please visit our website for more information about the International KTE Hub for Livestock Health and Welfare www.moredun.org.uk/knowledge-hub.

HRH The Princess Royal meets Stefano Guido a post graduate student from Italy at the launch of the International KTE Hub

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

9

Out and About Roadshow roundup The 2013 Moredun Livestock Health Roadshow was an outstanding success with record numbers of farmers, vets and SQPs attending the 11 free events throughout the UK. The roadshow ran from 11th to the 21st November and featured subjects including liver fluke, worm control, cryptosporidiosis, Johne’s disease, CLA, sheep scab, OPA and calf health issues. Moredun’s roadshow aims to support the livestock industry, help promote livestock health and welfare and answer queries about disease control. The 2013 series saw meetings take place across the UK from Huntly in the North to Bridgewater in the South and provided a great opportunity for local livestock producers and those working in livestock health to come together and discuss animal health issues.

We would like to thank QMS, HCC, CEVA, Zoetis, Harbro, Scottish Government and Norbrook for their sponsorship and all the speakers for their time and expertise delivering the excellent meetings. Once again all meetings received AMTRA SQP CPD accreditation.

Calf health and welfare was one of the topics at the Moredun Livestock Health Roadshow

Education workshop Connecting Research and Biology Education: Supporting the Curriculum for Excellence

engagement from many different organisations across Scotland discussed their current educational resources with biology teachers and representatives from Education

In February, Moredun Research Institute, in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC), hosted a workshop to bring together representatives from the Life Sciences Research Institutes and biology teachers from across Scotland. The aim of the workshop was to

to produce resources to support the Curriculum for Excellence in Scottish schools.

The workshop provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, and it is hoped that the increased communication

encourage connectivity between teachers and

between biology teachers and research

research institutes and to begin to help bridge

institutes will help create an environment for

the knowledge gaps identified in a survey of

sustainable partnerships, enabling schools

Scottish secondary school biology teachers.

throughout Scotland to benefit from the

During the workshop scientists and

cutting edge life science research taking

colleagues involved in education and public

10

Scotland, and explored ways to work together

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

place in Scotland.

OUT AND ABOUT

Edinburgh International Science Festival 2014 Moredun’s Education Group was busy at the beginning of the year developing another free interactive exhibit for the general public.

Farmyard Animals: Friends & Foes highlights some of the issues surrounding livestock farming and how Moredun helps to improve the health and welfare of farmed animals through the prevention and control of diseases whilst minimising the impact on the environment. The exhibition provides a fun and friendly atmosphere where children can

RHET appeal for volunteers “Children need to visit a farm to fully understand where food comes from” say Scottish primary school teachers – farmer volunteers wanted !

learn about the importance of healthy livestock and all about how scientists, vets and farmers can work together to help protect livestock and human health.

In April, Farmyard Animals: Friends & Foes ran at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival programme. The exhibition proved to be another very popular event, attracting over 700 visitors and very positive feedback during the two days.

Many children in Scotland lack an understanding of where their food comes from and how it gets to their plate. The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) is a charity working with schools to help address this by educating our children about food, farming and the countryside. They are currently helping with a University of Glasgow research project, looking at how topics on food and farming, and particularly visits to farms, can help children learn about the origins of their food. RHET relies on volunteer farmers to open up their farms, speak in classrooms or help out at events.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in getting involved, please get in touch with RHET by telephone: 0131 335 6227, or by e-mail: rhetinfo@rhass.org.uk.

To follow the progress of the research project, go to www.farmvisitsstudy.co.uk

Edinburgh International Science Festival

Obituaries Joe Watson

We are very sad to report the death in January of our former colleague, Declan McKeever, an exceptional research scientist and much loved and valued friend to many of us. A graduate of University College Dublin, Declan came to Moredun to do a PhD on Orf virus. He then spent many years working in Kenya to develop a vaccine to prevent East Coast fever in cattle before returning to UK to take up a joint chair between Moredun and University of Edinburgh and finally moving to the Royal Veterinary College in London.

Joe Watson the highly respected and dedicated farming editor at the Press and Journal, died suddenly, at the age of 43, in March of this year. Joe was named regional newspaper agricultural editor of the year three times and Damien Bates, editor in chief, described Joe as a brilliant journalist.

Tributes have been paid by many throughout the Scottish farming industries. We shall miss Joe’s challenging questions and interaction at our annual press events where he always livened things up.

Photo | The Press and Journal

Declan McKeever

Declan McKeever

Joe Watson

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

11

Focus On...

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Pentlands Science Park celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Pentlands Science Park, the much admired home of the Moredun Group, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Pentlands Science Park (PSP) was developed between 1994 and 1999 when the life science industry was becoming a key element in the strategy to help re-invigorate the local economy. The main driver for the development of PSP was the need to re-locate Moredun from its original home in Edinburgh to purpose built, state of the art facilities. With the support of both Scottish Enterprise and Midlothian Council, plus substantial support from European Regional Development Fund grants, Moredun were able to develop the site to not only accommodate its own research institute, but also to provide purpose built accommodation for commercial research organisations.

Since it opened twenty years ago PSP has been very successful in attracting commercial companies to its site. The commercial focus at PSP is animal bioscience but the tenant base also includes companies involved in

12

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

pharmaceuticals, software, and environmental services.

Moredun Group and tenant mix vital to success of Science Park As PSP celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is timely to reflect on the importance of having both the Moredun Group and our commercial tenants sharing the site, the benefits to both, and how continued high occupation is vital to the sustainability of the Park.

Moredun Research Institute is the main driver of the site and its critical mass is vitally important in delivering value for everyone on the Park. This can be seen in areas such as the purchase of utilities where the annual spend is around ÂŁ900k for the site, 70% of which is used by MRI. However, the bulk buying of energy delivers competitive rates to our tenants which helps control overhead costs.

Another benefit is the PSP Stores which is driven mainly by sales to MRI but again offers the opportunity of competitive bulk buying of laboratory consumables. Our Park Cafe offers an excellent service and cost effective food and refreshments. The Cafe catering contract

with our service provider, Baxter Storey, is substantially driven by the Moredun Group but to the benefit of the many tenant employees both from PSP and the adjoining Edinburgh Technopole. Tenants also benefit from access to specialist facilities and equipment, collaboration with Moredun staff and participation in training events that the Park organises.

The sustainability of the Park does rely on the vital income from our tenants to help pay for the site services such as grounds maintenance, security and waste disposal.

High occupancy delivers maximum contribution to the Park services costs which is extremely important. To achieve high occupancy, PSP must continue to ensure that the Park is an attractive and cost effective location to do business and that will remain the focus going forward. We have excellent relationships with our tenants, many of whom have been with us for the majority of these twenty years. It is a really positive partnership and we appreciate the loyalty and support of our tenant base.

FOCUS ON...

Scholarship Applications are still open for the 2014 Moredun Foundation Scholarship.

The scholarship scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals to pursue a short term project to broaden their education and experience in areas relating to livestock health and welfare and the agricultural industry.

Scholarship awards of up to £1,000 each will be made in 2014. Projects are open to Moredun members over the age of 18 living in the UK and may involve work experience, travel, or collaborations with science or the arts.

Ian Duncan Millar, Chairman of the

The closing date for applications for a

Moredun Foundation, is delighted by the

2014 Moredun Foundation Scholarship is

quality of the scholarship projects that the

Monday 30 June 2014. Successful applicants

Moredun Foundation has supported so far. He

will be notified in writing by Friday 29 August

commented, “These scholarships are a great

2014 and projects need to be completed by

way for those in the livestock industry to

31 August 2015.

pursue a short term project or further develop their own knowledge of livestock health.

Recipients of these awards to date have

Further information and an application form are available to download from the Moredun website www.moredun.org.uk/scholarship.

carried out some fantastic diverse projects which have broadened the horizons of the

Application forms and guidelines can also be

individual involved, while adding useful

emailed to prospective applicants on request –

knowledge to the promotion of livestock

email scholarship@moredun.org.uk

health and welfare”.

for further information.

Thank You As a registered charity the Moredun Foundation is indebted to its members and supporters for donations to help ensure that vital areas of our work can continue.

Special thanks must go to the following organisations and individuals, all of whom have made donations to the Moredun Foundation in the last twelve months. Their support is greatly appreciated.

Black Face Sheep Breeders’ Association Border Union Agricultural Society Buckland Charitable Trust CEVA Harbro Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) J & JR Wilson Trust Norbrook Perth Ram Society Quality Meat Scotland

RHASS Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society Zoetis Mr P Alexander Mr C Lewis Mrs K Mackay Memory of Mrs Pringle Mr Ian Gill Scottish Goatkeepers Federation

Moredun 2020 Project Moredun’s 100th anniversary will be in 2020 and a new project, entitled ‘Moredun 2020’, aims to update our history and highlight the contribution of Moredun and the Animal Diseases Research Association to livestock health and welfare both in the UK and across the world.

As well as highlighting our main outputs and achievements over the last 100 years, the project will bring our history to life by telling the stories of the people who have

contributed to the organisation over the years. During the next 12 months we will conduct audio interviews with some of the current and ex staff members, with Moredun Fellows, Regional Advisors and farmer members. Old and new images will illustrate the project and we hope to create a book and DVD, as well as making material more widely available using web-based media.

If you have images that you would like to donate or memories you’d like to share, please contact lee.innes@moredun.ac.uk

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

13

www.moredun.org.uk